In a recent announcement, the Curacao Gaming Control Board (GCB) has confirmed the reopening of its online portal starting July 15, 2024, at 00:01 local time. The GCB will resume accepting applications under the current NOOGH legislation. Operators across various sectors including B2C, B2B2C, and B2B are encouraged to submit their applications promptly.
The GCB has also emphasized its commitment to prioritizing applications that were submitted on or before the April 30th deadline, ensuring that these are processed expediently. This prioritization underscores the board’s dedication to maintaining regulatory efficiency and supporting established timelines.
In addition to reopening the portal, the GCB has issued reminders regarding the expiration of Master Licenses. Starting from August 2024 through January 2025, Master Licenses will not be renewed post their expiration dates. This measure is contingent upon the enactment of the LOK, after which Master Licenses will automatically cease.
For sublicensees currently in the application process whose associated Master Licenses are due to expire, the GCB will offer a “Certificate of Operation.” This temporary measure aims to ensure uninterrupted operations while direct licenses are being processed. However, it’s important to note that this certificate will not be extended to sublicensees whose applications are incomplete at the time of their Master License expiration. If operators have not yet received a direct license at that time, the domain token will direct to the Certificate of Operation and Orange Digital Seal rather than the Green Digital Seal. The Green Digital Seal will be issued once a direct license has been granted.
The GCB has provided comprehensive guidelines on domain management through its portal. Each action requires proof of domain ownership from a registry and relevant sale or transfer documentation if applicable.
Upon adding a domain, the GCB undertakes automatic notification and subsequently conducts a manual verification process, which may take several days to complete. Once verified, the domain may receive a Digital Seal, signifying compliance with regulatory standards.
Domains associated with an application company that are not governed by the Master License(s) listed on the application will be categorized under an Orange Digital Seal. This distinction indicates that such domains do not fall under the direct responsibility of the Master Licensor.
The reopening of the GCB portal on July 15th, 2024, represents a critical opportunity for operators in the gaming sector to engage with regulatory processes under the updated NOOGH legislation. With more guidelines on license management, domain verification, and the issuance of Digital Seals, the GCB aims to facilitate a streamlined and compliant environment for the gaming industry in Curacao.
We will shortly provide our Clients with their Certificates of Operation and Seals, as soon as these are issued by the Curacao Gaming Control Board.